Federally-chartered credit unions are regulated by the National Credit Union Administration and insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, which is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

Credit unions offer young adults desirable, affordable financial services, as well as the advantage of personal service developed to help them grow their savings. Many credit unions offer services within schools or have student-run branches.

Federal privacy laws give you the right to stop (opt out of) some sharing of your personal financial information. The law permits your financial companies to share certain information about you without giving you the right to opt out.

NCUA’s financial literacy webinar series informs credit unions and their members about important financial literacy topics, including research initiatives, best practices, resources, partnerships, campaign participation, and more.

Bill payer services, or debt consolidation services, can help consumers preserve their credit scores by merging debts and establishing a workable schedule to pay down money owed to creditors through a single monthly payment.

Have you ever thought about why money is worth anything? It's just paper and ink, or a small piece of stamped metal. To do a lot of things we need to use money. Money can give you choices and independence.
Have you ever thought about how you could earn your own money? Or, how much money you should you save? The way you manage your money could determine if are able to buy food, a movie ticket, a pair of jeans, just about everything. Learn about the history of money, why we use it, how to save it, and how to protect it.

You may be thinking about your first checking or savings account, your first job, or even your first car. Soon, you will have the opportunity to pursue your dreams. You could go to college, launch your career, or start a business. No matter what you decide, you will need money to make it happen.
It's never too early to learn smart financial habits. Whether saving a portion of a weekly allowance or understanding the deductions on the pay stub from a first job, good money management skills can last a lifetime. In this section, you will not only learn how to prepare financially for life after high school, but also how to avoid scams and common money mistakes.

Are you prepared to make wise and informed financial decisions? Do you know how to recognize predatory credit offers? Can you balance a checkbook? Do you have a savings plan?
Smart financial choices you make today could help you can achieve that new car purchase, or sail through an apartment lease or mortgage application. However, money mistakes when you're just starting out can leave you in debt and ruin your credit score.
Learn how to live within a budget, handle credit and debt, and build a solid financial foundation for your future.

How do you teach kids about money? It may be as simple as talking about your job, taking a trip to the grocery store, or opening a savings account at a credit union to deposit allowance and birthday money. The bottom line is that it’s never too early to start teaching children smart financial habits and the value of money.
Educating, motivating, and empowering kids to become regular savers will enable them to keep more of the money they earn. Whether at home or in the classroom, this section will provide you with the tools and resources to teach kids how to grow into financially responsible adults. The reward could mean a life free from the anxieties of debt.

Did you know that seniors account for almost 30% of all fraud victims? Whether you are looking for information for yourself or for a loved one, in this section you will learn how to defend against these scams, as well as, find information on reverse mortgages, prepaid funerals, emergency savings, and long-term care.
Additionally, you will find articles that will help with money management, post-retirement planning, and maximizing government benefits.

You may have a retirement account. But, do you really know how much you should be saving? Do you budget to save, and not just when you have extra money left over in your paycheck? Have you thought about saving for college? Does your family have an emergency fund? Anyone can learn how to save money and invest in their future.
In this section, you will learn how to take control of your financial future, including how to defend against fraud and scams, tips on buying a car or home, how to handle credit and debt, and information about credit reports.

Are you financially ready? Servicemembers and military families face unique financial challenges, whether on active duty, returning to civilian life, or living as a veteran. In recent years, servicemembers have joined the ranks of those who are considered most vulnerable to predatory lenders and identity theft. Most military families today are not saving adequately for retirement, and many do not have an emergency fund.
In this section, you will learn how to protect yourself from financial vulnerabilities, as well as, how to budget, save, and handle debt and credit. Additionally, learn about free financial resources, benefits, and special protections offered by the U.S. government for servicemembers and their families.

Common College Scams

As young adults diving into the wide world alone for the first time, college students are often the intended targets of scams.

Lack of experience and a thirst for independence make students susceptible to the trickery and deceit of cunning con artists and swindlers. Even the brightest students can fall victim to the schemes of nefarious tricksters. Avoiding scams requires a worldliness that comes with age. Fortunately, you don’t have to face life unprepared. A little basic knowledge and a healthy pinch of vigilance can go great lengths in guarding any student from malevolent trickery. Here are a few of the most common college scams and how to avoid them.

Scholarship Scams

With the Internet, finding scholarships should be a cinch. But contrary to what logic dictates, scholarship searches have only grown more complex. Many scholarship search sites dress themselves as beneficent tools created for the purpose of helping students find financial aid; but are actually traps set to lure in the vulnerable and hopeful. When cruising the net for financial awards, proceed with caution. A site that asks for personal information should be regarded with suspicion. Many will ask for an e-mail address only to sell that address and pump it full of spam. You also should never pay for a service that helps you find or apply for scholarships. These are rarely beneficial and do nothing you couldn’t do for yourself. Stick to free scholarship search tools and assess each award’s legitimacy before submitting an application.

Social Media Scams

A growing stereotype amongst college students is a worsening addiction to social media. Scam artists have seized the opportunity to feed on unsuspecting students. One such technique involves scammers setting up fake pages for universities and reaching out to the college’s students to acquire e-mail addresses. Phony pages and profiles are created to harvest personal information. In its most innocuous incarnation, this sort of scam means an inbox full of spam. In its most hostile form, social media fraud can result in identity theft. To avoid these scams, add only friends you know, limit the information you post online, and be wary of invitations to “like” pages.

Identity Theft

Perhaps the most terrifying scam of the modern age is identity theft. A stolen identity can have devastating results. Imposters can use your information to make unwarranted purchases, open phony accounts, and sign up for services you would never in your right mind contemplate utilizing. Avoiding identity theft is simple.

You must follow one rule: guard your personal information. However, it is a rule you must follow completely and without pause. As mentioned in the social media scam example, the Internet is a great place to open yourself up to thieves. Make purchases only from websites you trust. If you don’t personally know anyone who can vouch for a site, avoid it. Again, limit the information you post on social media. Don’t list e-mail addresses or phone numbers. Never divulge information that seems unnecessary or gratuitous. For example, there would be absolutely no reason to give up your social security number to join a mailing list. Keep credit card numbers, PIN numbers, and other financial information carefully guarded, both online and in the physical world.

Credit Card Rip-Offs

The credit card world is laden with scams, and college students, being new to the credit game, are particularly susceptible. Be wary of signing up for cards from issuers you’re not familiar with–and not only credit cards, but prepaid debit as well. You risk the chance of relaying information to a phony lender and potential identity thief. And even the card is actually available and functioning, you need to be exceedingly cautious about hidden fees and unreasonable rates.

Know what to expect from a credit card. If you see an APR of 25% or more, or an annual fee of $30 or more, you should be concerned.